Pet people are a special breed. This blog is for anyone who can't get enough news about the animals in our lives.

Pet lady: That's my role in the Miami Herald newsroom. I've been here since 1989, during which time I've had 11 dogs, a ring-necked parakeet, a chicken, and a lizard named Lance. At the moment, I have four dogs, one step-dog, and two cockatiels. A native New Yorker, I came here from Louisville, Ky. I'm a graduate of the University of Arizona, and had a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard in 1988. I have written 309 stories containing the word "dog" in the past 20 years.

Herald Blogs

For the poor doggie who got shot, to Dr. Kathy Mello, Cause Four Paws, 21300 SW 246th St., Homestead 33031. Kathy has kindly taken the dog to an ER, but her rescue is nearly out of funds and needs help. Thanks to all who pitch in.

If you read the Bank Behaving Badly post, you need to see this update, from a TD Bank spokesperson.

"The demo has been put off until tomorrow. They are already working with Animal Control and have been trapping the cats for the last few days. The contractor has been very cooperative with the neighbors on this.''

She sent this earlier:

"We have NOT foreclosed on this property. The City, not us, ordered the demolition because they deemed the structure unsafe. It is our understanding that as part of the City's process for issuing demolition permits, an inspection of the building must be performed to ensure no living things inhabit the structure, and finding as such the City ordered the demolition. That said, if the contractor enters the building to begin demolition work and finds the opposite, TD Bank has requested that they contact Animal Control.''

Jennifer Morneau, Public Relations Manager, Commercial and Small Business Corporate and Public Affairs

This is all I know: Dog brought in to Planned Pethood this morning, shot by a law enforcement officer.in her own yard. Sh's a Lab mix. She belongs to someone but the owner isn't reachable. She will die in a matter of hours unless she gets to an ER clinic. Planned Pethood can't pay for it, so they need money. They're located at 13749 NW 7th Ave. 305-687-7729. Thanks in advance if you can help.

"At 6PM tonight, Channel 10 TV News will report on a protest by South Beach residents of TD Bank's demolition of an abandoned building before removing a colony of kittens.

Bulldozers are on site to demolish the long-neglected, abandoned and dilapidated historic Hotel Simone building, 321 Ocean Drive, on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

On April 21, 2010, the county Unsafe Structures Board upheld the demolition order of the City of Miami Beach Building Official finding that the building is an imminent danger to the adjacent fifty-unit condo building and to the public. In spite of neighbors' repeated complaints to the city that the structure harbors a colony of kittens that would be trapped during demolition, TD Bank, the owner in foreclosure, is ignoring its responsibilities. ''

Sam is 10, and his owner is moving to New York and can't take him. Poor guy. Contact: Jim Lister 954.646.2092 Email: JimRunning@aol.com.

From Jim Lister, who has had Sam for 9 of his 10 years: "Sam is 85-90 lbs, trained as a guard dog. though less a Guard
Dog now, he still has strong protective traits...I need to find a home for Sam, transition him. He's trained to
his cage, but when I'm home he has access to roam the yard and lanai area,
though he spends most of it in his cage. His records are all up to date
and he's been the best dog I've ever owned; obedient, loving disposition and
deserving of someone that will be able to give him their time and attention,
though he doesn't need a lot.''

Sweetie is a three year old American Bulldog who has never had a home that
we know of. She wandered into these people's backyard and they have been feeding
her for over a year. They won't allow her to be a part of their family and she
just wanders around and hangs out in their backyard and comes home for dinner.
She has never been to the vet. The people who feed her, walk their own dogs and
she follows them on walks. She is very friendly to other dogs and loves people,
hence her name Sweetie. She is in North Miami and needs a rescue or adopter to
pick her up and take care of her and make her a part of their family. If anyone
can help her, contact me and I will give you the address where she is presently
hanging out. I hope she can find a place before the hurricane season gets more
advanced. They will not bring her inside.

This is from a string of emails that have come my way. I'll start with the (very) bad news. And my profound sympathy to the person who had to endure this tragedy.

"IT was horrible…July 20th, I
got home from work and my sister has just gotten home and let [the dogs] out back
to run around and pee. She went upstairs and had just gotten in the shower so I
went to open the back door and they didn’t come right away. So I went upstairs,
changed into my pj’s and came right back down. I went to bring them in and Maddy
came right in (my bulldog) which is usual, and then I continued calling Roxy.
She came walking in really slow, but that’s what she usually does, then all of a
sudden she threw up. I brought her the water bowl and she wouldn’t drink and she
threw up again. All of a sudden she started shaking and peeing and pooping and
having a seizure. I was panicking screaming for my sister but she was in the
shower and couldn’t hear me. I was literally screaming at the top of my lungs.
So I picked her up took my spare key without any clothes or purse and ran out
the door. I drove to the nearest animal hospital open which was all the way in
Doral and by the time I got there it was too late, she died in my arms. They
think she ate or licked a toad. The saddest day of my life.''

Now for some advice, from blog reader Allyson:

"If you catch it immediately, take a towel and wipe out the mouth and lips -
flushing with water is ok, but the towel works better. Then cram a couple of
Benadryl down the throat and RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN to the vet. Happened to a friend of mine's dog in Homestead, and she managed to save
the dog.

The poison can actually become addictive if they survive. But then they keep going after the toads. Towel and Benadryl. The
Benadryl only gives you a few minutes extra of time, but it can make all the
difference.''

Also: There's a pet ambulance service. PET
MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION, PHONE NO. 305-338-0669. I spoke to Adrian, a vet tech, who operates it. He said,"This is a service wherever you want to go, to any clinic, in an emergency or on a regular basis if you're not able to bring the dog because it's too big or you don't have a car.''

Adrian said it's a 24/7 operation: "a real ambulance,'' but for the moment - because of regulatory issues - the only emergency assistance they can provide onboard is oxygen, but they're working on being able to use IVs and other equipment.

Click here for comprehensive information about bufo toads (and how to minimize the chance that your dog will get hold of one).

"She's a Maine coon cat, about
5 years old. My situation is that I recently moved onto a college campus and cannot have any
animals living with me. The ideal scenario would be for someone
to foster her for about 1.5 years until I graduate. I'm willing to compensate
this person as well. I need to find her a home ASAP...preferably no later than
this Friday August 6. She's had all of her shots, is fixed, and has a very
friendly, playful, and loveable personality. She's very healthy but is a little
pleasantly plump. She lived with another cat for the last 8 months and got
along ok with her. She doesn't seem to be a big fan of dogs and usually hides
when one is around. To be honest, she's been my sole animal and is used to
getting all my attention, so this type of situation is ideal. She's currently
groomed with a lion cut, to decrease shedding and make her cooler for the
summertime, and also her claws are clipped. She's very cuddly and friendly once
she gets to know someone and is comfortable. If you know anyone who might be
interested, please let me know. Thanks so much for your help!

Tampa, FL - July 12, 2010 -
Florida-3 Airboat Search & Rescue (FL3ASAR), a search and rescue organization based
in Hillsborough County, today announced the delivery of a 20 foot airboat
customized for animal rescue efforts.

The specialized craft, manufactured
by Diamondback Airboats, will be the airboat dedicated to FL3ASAR’s specialized
program, the Animal Rescue Team, for the emergency rescue and evacuation of
pets, animals and livestock in flood-affected
areas.

The new Animal Rescue
Team airboat has a three rudder system instead of the normal two and has only
one row of seats, not two. The three rudder system allows for better steerage
and the removal of the front seat provides added deck space for a larger working
area and more animal cage storage. The drop down "Grass Rake" facilitates the
transportation, delivery and retrieval of necessary supplies and/or equipment
for animal rescue.

The Animal Rescue Team
is available to state and federal agricultural and wildlife agencies; national,
state and local humane societies, and veterinary
organizations.

Kevin Rodriques, Team
Commander, stated, “Within 24 hours, FL3ASAR can be
deployed to anywhere in the nation. All of our airboat operators are US Coast Guard Captains,
Department of Interior Airboat certified and hazmat qualified. We
have the equipment and the manpower to be a valuable resource in any search and
rescue efforts, including the BP oil spill rescue activities.”

About
FL3ASAR

FL3ASAR is a
division of Airboat Search & Rescue, Inc (a not-for profit organization).
FL3ASAR was formed after lessons learned in the aftermath of the flooding in
New Orleans
following Hurricane Katrina. Founding members that were present quickly realized
the efficiency and capability of utilizing airboats to evacuate thousands of
citizens stranded due to urban flooding. The airboats were not impeded by
hazards that traditional boats encountered. Since there are no moving parts
below the waterline, the airboats were able to maneuver through debris fields,
operate in extreme shallows and even traverse dry land. The airboats were able
to evacuate large numbers of citizens quickly. Since Katrina, FL3ASAR has
responded for calls for service beyond the scope of flood evacuation and has
evolved into a full service search and rescue
operation.